What are electrolytes?

“But Brawndo’s got what plants crave.  It’s got electrolytes!”  It’s probably one of the most famous movie quotes from the early 2000’s.  The movie Idiocracy got some things right; electrolytes are important (but probably not for plants).  While we know it’s important, we don’t really know a lot about them.  What are they exactly?

Electrolytes carry an electric charge.

Electrolytes are minerals and nutrients in your blood and body fluids that carry an electric charge.  Water alone does not contain electrolytes, but more on that in a moment.  Let’s talk more about that electric charge!

We all need electrolytes to survive, they are vital to a person’s makeup.  Did you know that electrolytes contain an electric charge?  They do!  It’s why they’re called electro-lytes.  Without getting too technical on you… electrolytes are water soluble elements that when dissolved in water will hold either a negative or positive ion that can freely move about within water.  When consumed and absorbed into the bloodstream, this allows them to freely move between cells giving us the electric charge we need.

The Cleveland Clinic explains that at the most basic level electrolytes maintain balance in your body as your body uses the ions to transport chemical compounds needed in and out of cells.

Electrolytes are important for hydration.

For the average healthy person you may get enough of the building blocks of electrolytes through diet alone.  However, when you lose fluids either through sweat, urination, or diarrhea you also lose electrolytes that cannot be replaced by drinking water alone.  

Electrolytes allow you to absorb and retain water more efficiently in your body.  They come from the following:

• sodium
• chloride
• potassium
• calcium
• magnesium
• bicarbonate
• phosphate

Each of these have their place in our bodies, and they all have an important job in keeping us alive.  For instance, muscle weakness can happen when muscles have an imbalance with calcium, sodium, and potassium.  Ever get a “twitching nerve” in your eye?  Or a “jumping nerve” in your leg or foot?  Its likely culprit is a simple electrolyte imbalance.  

How do you manage the imbalances that can cause disturbances in your body?  Don’t let yourself get too fatigued, a symptom of dehydration, and be sure to keep the balance even.  If you feel you may be dehydrated, it’s important to get more electrolytes.

Oral Rehydration Solutions

The best way to prevent dehydration and imbalances of electrolytes is by using an oral rehydration salt (ORS).  These solutions contain the optimal amount of ingredients that will get you feeling better faster.  Often called “oral rehydration therapy” it is a strategy that is less invasive than IV therapy.  It is 33% more effective at rehydration too!

NormaLyte is an ORS (oral rehydration solution) that was created using the World Health Organization’s new formula for rehydration. It can help you maintain a healthy balance of electrolytes when you have lost fluid due to acute illness, chronic illnesses (like POTS and other forms of dysautonomia), excessive sweating, and more.  We are a medical grade electrolyte solution that is compact and easy to carry in a stick form.

NormaLyte is effective, and it’s fast acting.  If you have a condition such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome it is imperative that you’re getting electrolytes that are clinically effective at rehydration.  If you haven’t snagged a free sample, order yours today so you can start to find your normal.